South Australia is set to introduce minimum bet limits

Punters who bet on South Australian racing have received a shot in the arm with news that the state’s governing body will introduce minimum bet limits.

Thoroughbred Racing South Australia (TRSA) has confirmed that the policy will come into effect next month as part of new agreements negotiated between bookmakers and the state's principle racing authority.

“We have been in discussions with wagering operators about the introduction of minimum bet limits as part of our new Betting Operations Contribution agreements,' said TRSA chief executive Jim Watters.

"These limits are planned to come into effect in August and will bring South Australia in line with what’s in place in the eastern states.”

TRSA's policy will align closely with Victoria's, which compels off-course Wagering Service Providers (WSPs) to accept bets with a liability of up to $2,000 on metropolitan racing and $1,000 on non-metro meetings.

Minimum bet limits were introduced as a corrective measure to counteract bookmaker profiling, which often saw winning punters either restricted or barred by off-course WSPs.

This development will leave Western Australia as the only major thoroughbred racing jurisdiction without such a policy.

TRSA will be hoping that the soon-to-be introduced minimum bet limits will lead to an increase in wagering turnover and a boost to the South Australian racing industry on the whole.

And at the least it marks a positive change for punters in South Australia.